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Bill > HF259
IA HF259
IA HF259A bill for an act relating to public notice requirements for meetings of a governmental body.(Formerly HSB 75.)
summary
Introduced
02/06/2025
02/06/2025
In Committee
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Crossed Over
03/04/2025
03/04/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to public notice requirements for meetings of a governmental body. The bill requires the act of giving notice of a meeting of a governmental body to include (1) advising the news media who have filed a request for notice with the governmental body as provided under current law, (2) posting the notice in a prominent and conspicuous place that is designated annually by the governmental body, in a manner such that the notice is visible at all times, and (3) posting the notice on any associated internet site as specified in the bill. If a tentative agenda has been posted and is amended, the amended agenda shall be marked “AMENDED”, the amended provisions identified, and a new notice provided. The bill requires a governmental body to provide notice if a meeting is canceled. The notice must be given at least 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting or, for good cause shown, as soon as reasonably possible. By operation of law, notice for electronic meetings of governmental bodies as provided in Code section 21.8 (electronic meetings) shall comply with the notice requirements in Code section 21.4 (public notice). In addition, the bill applies to notices for public appointment and employment under Code section 35C.1 (veterans preference —— appointments and employment —— applications) and notices for whole grade sharing agreements under Code section 282.11 (procedure for whole grade sharing agreements).
AI Summary
This bill modifies the public meeting notice requirements for governmental bodies in Iowa, expanding and clarifying the existing rules for providing public notice. The bill requires governmental bodies to give notice of meeting time, date, place, and tentative agenda through three specific methods: (1) advising news media who have requested notice, (2) posting a notice in a prominently and conspicuously designated location that is visible at all times, and (3) posting the notice on the governmental body's internet site or online presence if one exists. Additionally, the bill mandates that if a tentative agenda is amended, the governmental body must mark the agenda as "AMENDED" and identify the specific changes, then re-issue notice through the same channels. The bill also slightly modifies the existing notice timeline, specifying that notice must be given at least twenty-four hours prior to a meeting's commencement or cancellation, with an exception for circumstances where providing such notice is impossible or impractical. These changes aim to improve transparency and ensure that the public has more consistent and accessible information about governmental meetings.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
State Government (H)
Last Action
Referred to State Government. S.J. 1057. (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
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State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF259 |
BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF259.html |
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